One of the International Olympic Committee’s most senior officials said soccer’s rulers must act quickly and decisively to avoid being tainted by corruption allegations surrounding the World Cup.

Craig Reedie, seek who last year became the first Briton on the IOC’s 15-member board in more than 60 years, said FIFA could learn from the way the Olympics organizer dealt with the Salt Lake City bribery scandal.

Two of the 24 men due to vote on where the World Cup, the most-watched sports event, will be staged in 2018 and 2022 have been suspended pending an inquiry after they allegedly told undercover reporters their votes could be bought.

The IOC, which has about 100 members, forced out 10 officials accused of accepting bribes during Salt Lake’s successful bid for the 2002 Winter Games. Ten others received reprimands.

“FIFA have to deal with it and deal with it quickly,” Reedie, who was on the IOC during the bribery probe, said in an interview yesterday.

He added: “It was without doubt the worst day I ever had in sport to actually go through the business of disciplining and expelling members. It was a hugely unpopular and difficult thing to do.”

IOC President Jacques Rogge said October 26 that FIFA President Sepp Blatter has asked for advice since the Sunday Times of London on October 17 accused FIFA board members Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii of Tahiti of offering to trade their votes for cash.

An investigation has also been opened into allegations of collusion between Qatar’s 2022 bid committee and a joint offer from Spain and Portugal for 2018.

FIFA’s ethics committee will announce its findings November 17. England, Russia and a joint bid from the Netherlands and Belgium are also in the running for 2018.

As well as expelling members, the IOC introduced reforms including a ban on member visits to bid cities, and tighter rules on potential conflicts of interest. It also created an ethics commission, which has a majority of officials who aren’t affiliated to the IOC.

Members include former United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar and Thomas Buergenthal, an American judge who until September served on the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Reedie said: “I think if you’re going to have an ethics commission it’s proper that you should have an outside body looking at your affairs.”

FIFA’s ethics panel is led by former Swiss soccer player turned lawyer Claudio Sulser and includes officials from 13 other soccer federations.

Reedie said an undercover investigation by the British Broadcasting Corp in 2004 into IOC executives ahead of their vote was an “uncomfortable experience” for the team that won the right to stage the 2012 Summer Games in London.

He added he was “not comfortable” with entrapment by newspapers, “but it is not illegal in Britain and if there are accusations then FIFA have to deal with it, and deal with it firmly.”

Reedie, who’s also on the board of the 2012 organizing committee said: “One of the challenges we had in the London bidding situation was the international perception of the British media.”

Reedie, from Scotland, isn’t in England’s bid team.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has signed a commercial deal with Eden Park, the clothes brand founded by five international rugby players in 1987.

Eden Park will provide an exclusive tailored collection of bespoke formalwear for the team.

The six-year deal will cover the next two rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015. Eden Park will kit out the entire 215-strong England squads, ranging from the seniors, the under 18s, management, and backroom staff.

Martin Johnson, England team manager, said: “Eden Park’s rugby heritage and attention to details make it an ideal partner for the RFU. Being founded by five ex-international rugby players means they know exactly what a rugby player requires and we are delighted Eden Park has committed to a long term contract with the England team.”

The RFU Eden Park formalware includes grey suits, white shirts, smart overcoats and cashmere scarves.

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) renewed its deal with the Viking Group, therapy keeping it as its title sponsor for 2011, ambulance it has been announced.

With the support of the transport and logistics company Viking Group, viagra sale the ASBK has been able to make a number of significant steps forward in 2010 including a standalone event in the Northern Territory, the revival of ‘2+4’ races alongside V8 Supercars and television coverage including a first for the sport, a live, free-to-air broadcast.

Director of the Viking Group Steve Iliopoulos said: “2010 has been a successful year for the ASBK and we are pleased to confirm our continued naming-rights sponsorship into 2011 which looks set for further growth driven by IEG’s desire to innovate and expand.

“The championship reached a wide audience this year thanks to the involvement with V8 Supercars, a new and exciting television package and a number of entertaining support classes and activities.”

Managing director of IEG, promoter of the ASBK, Yarrive Konsky, added: “The Viking Group has played an instrumental role in the ASBK’s growth during 2010, a season where we were able to make significant steps forward with new events plus racing and live television coverage alongside the V8 Supercars.

“We believe the momentum gained this season will carry over into 2011 and look forward to continuing a successful relationship with the Viking Group as we strive to build the profile of the championship and its world-class riders even further.”

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has been given the green light by the BBC Trust to launch smartphone applications – extending its reach of its news and sport service.

Sailing regatta, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Final, is heading to the United Arab Emirates after the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) agreed a six-year deal.

The first event, due 26-30 November 2014, was initiated after a multi-stakeholder approach by Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC) with the support of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation (UAE SARF) and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

“This is a major surge forward in Abu Dhabi’s campaign to be recognised as an international sailing hub and another fantastic opportunity for our youngsters to compete with and learn off the world’s best,” said HE Ahmed Thani Al Romaithi, Chairman, ADSYC and Vice-President, UAE SARF.

“It is somehow apt that the sailing world is convening in the Arabian Gulf which has such a long and rich maritime history and in Abu Dhabi which is bent on preserving its maritime heritage and traditions while building a destination attractive to sailors worldwide and nurturing young UAE sailors to take its ambitions forward.”

An associated deal sealed today between ISAF and TCA Abu Dhabi will also see the UAE capital host the 2016 ISAF Annual Conference when delegates, who include representatives of national governing bodies, class associations, leading industry personalities, manufacturers, sponsors and the media, discuss the hottest topics facing the sport. The 2016 Conference, which is estimated will deliver 1,500 hotel room nights to Abu Dhabi, will also feature a Presidential election.

“We have found a highly committed partner in Abu Dhabi and look forward to helping move forward the sailing ambitions of the emirate and the Arabian Gulf. This is a great opportunity for sailing as a sport,” said Carlo Croce, ISAF President.

“We have struck a ground-breaking partnership with a world-class destination for a Tier-1 event.”

The 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final will take place in Abu Dhabi from 26-30 November. Around 350 sailors from 20 countries are expected in Abu Dhabi to compete in all 10 Olympic events and a kite-surfing event, in and around Lulu Island off the UAE capital’s stunning Corniche.

The events will be covered by the international sailing media and an ISAF television audience in over 100 countries.

“This year’s Final is only three weeks before Abu Dhabi hosts a Volvo Ocean Race stopover when again, the city will be alive with all things maritime, sailing and entertainment,” said Sheikh Khaled Zayed Saqr Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Sailing & Rowing Federation.

Ticketing provider Paciolan, has announced today that Texas Christian University (TCU) has renewed its 20-year partnership with the company.

In conjunction with the long-term partnership renewal, TCU will continue to leverage Paciolan’s best-of-breed ticketing, fundraising and Access management systems, and has implemented the company’s data warehouse solution. The university will also continue to utilize Paciolan’s strategic partnerships with StubHub and Ballena Technologies (Ballena). TCU has been a Paciolan partner since 1994. Paciolan is a subsidiary of the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor.

“We are extremely excited to continue our long-term partnership with Paciolan,” said Chris Del Conte, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at TCU. “From their strong background in collegiate athletics and all of the features that Paciolan provides to help us better serve our customers and donors, we look forward to continuing our 20 year partnership.”

TCU will continue to utilize Paciolan’s industry-leading eVenue online ticketing solution that enables the university to efficiently sell tickets and process donations in real-time at GoFrogs.com. In addition to using the branded and integrated eCommerce site to sell tickets in real-time, offering secure online services and account management, TCU integrates Paciolan’s fundraising solution into the site to house a one-stop online box office site for its fans and donors.

To further expand their relationship with fans, TCU has also taken an innovative approach to cultivating students into life-long season ticket holders and donors. TCU’s newly established Student Frog Club allows students to buy memberships online and begin building points for their account which they will retain upon graduation.

“Throughout our long-term relationship, Paciolan has focused on creating a seamless experience for our fans through first-class ticketing and fundraising systems,” said Sean Conner, Assistant Athletics Director for Ticket Operations at TCU. “The solutions that Paciolan offers, as well as new systems that we continue to implement, provide our fans and donors with enhanced experiences with TCU athletics.”

Additionally, through a strategic partnership between Paciolan and 3D venue visualization leader Ballena, TCU implements the company’s realistic and fan friendly Seats3D and Seat Relocation Management System (SRMS) and provide their fans with the convenience to select their seats online, add or change their parking and make payments at the time of selection.

“Paciolan’s strategic partnerships integrate the technology that provides our staff, fans and donors with convenient and easy-to-use access to industry-leading systems,” added Conner. “It’s vital to offer the best solutions to our customers and ensure they receive the best services available.”

“The growth TCU has experienced over the past few years, led by Chris Del Conte, has been astonishing,” said Jane Kleinberger, Founder of Paciolan. “In conjunction with their exceptional facilities expansion, they have pioneered and delivered some of the most revolutionary technologies seen to date in college athletics, bringing the ‘stadium’ and ‘parking lot’ into the homes of their fans and donors during the renewal, upgrade and buying processes. Their success has led to many other schools now adopting their best practices.”